Warsaw’s Służewiec Racecourse hosted the Wielka Warszawska on Sunday, the highlight of Poland’s horse-racing calendar and one of the capital’s longest-running sporting traditions. First held in 1895, the Wielka Warszawska is an international race for thoroughbreds aged three and older. The 2026 edition was run over 2,600 meters, with at least 520,000 złoty (€122,000) in prize money. It is the only horse race in Central and Eastern Europe to hold Listed status, according to the organizers. The race has been held at Służewiec since the Warsaw track opened in 1939 and has grown into an event combining top-level competition with one of the capital’s traditional social occasions. Thousands of spectators gathered in the grandstands on Sunday, with racing accompanied by fashion events and other attractions. For jockeys, the race comes down to speed, timing and the partnership between rider and horse after months of preparation. The event remains the centerpiece of Służewiec’s season, which runs until November 15.
